Tobacco Documents Online

I I I I I r El I- I L Statemeat Governor's Cit:zens ?a.zel on Smoking and -e:~' tft submitted to the Cffice of Health Educaticn Michigan Lerartment of Public ciealt:: in behalf of United Ccm:m:nity Services of Metropolitan Detroit October 8, 1980 United Community Services is a cititen-based social planning organization which has dealt with problems and issues of human services in the Detroit metropolitan area for nearly sixty years. Health problems, and how to sol•re them, have been one of the major concerns of our agency in recent yea.^s. T:iese concerns have teer. expressed in the form of study recommendations and policy stateWents on maJor issues by our Board of Directors. The following concerns addressed in this statement relative to the use and abuse of tobacco_products are based upon approved policy statements that deal with health education, preventive health services, and school health services: I. Health insurance companies have begun to recognize the importance of health education as part of patient services. UCS fully supports the notion that Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan and other co=ercial carriers_should consider i.zc lusion of health education costs in health insurance benefits. Such health education services would !zclude the use and abuse of tobacco products with the provision of intervent:ans to reduce the risk taking behavior. To further support such interventions, UCS encourages hospital based health education projects to demonstrate whether health education can cut the cost of health services or increase their efficiency; and urges the health systems agencies to encourage the inclusion of health education components ir. those programs whic:: they review or assist !.n planning. -183-

I II. UCS, i.Z concert ,rith other organizations, has encouraged and supcorted proposed legislation requiring local school districts to lmpt ement a comprehensi•re health education c.:rriculum ccnsistent vr :.". the `"ichigar: DepartWent of Education's Minimal Performance Objectives ir. iealth Education for the State of Michigan. Such a curr'_cu1;:m would be an integra+l part of the total school health prog"am. Cor.c::rrently, this agency has advocated for the inclusion of a school health services component within the school health program, and feels that due to the sizable population in question, the state legislature Wust accept reasonable costs for the provision of such a program ar.d provide appropriate funding through tax dollars. Recognizing the health consequences of long-term tobacco abuse and the difficulty of quitting once the smoking habit has been acquired, it is essential that a concerted effort be make, orn behalf of our future adults, to provide interventions. Such interventions in the school setting should address the changing of risk taking behaviors and prcWote health and Frellness. Additionally, heal t`~ departments need to relate to such a school based effort so that they may fulfill their health education functions. Health department personnel can assist local school districts ~n ccr.ducting r.eeds I d i I F t assessment, curriculum planning, development, implementation and evaluation. ~ Co tl it b d + ase ncurrsn y, commun y agencies can provide ssular functiens. By working cooperatively, we can maximize cur resources and the potential for long-term impact. ~ W O L -184-

=Z c'_os:ng, UCS srishes to thank the Citiceas ?ar.e? cn Smotci.^g and Health for prov{ding :^terested organizztions and concerned citicens with an ooFortunity to comcaent on this issue. I I I I- I ~ `